Appearance
It is a thallose liverwort which forms a rosette of flattened thalli with forked branches. The thalli grow up to 10 cm long with a width of up to 2 cm.It is usually green in colour but older plants can become brown or purplish. The upper surface has a pattern of polygonal markings. The underside is covered by many root-like rhizoids which attach the plant to the soil.
The plants produce umbrella-like reproductive structures known as gametophores. The gametophores of female plants consist of a stalk with star-like rays at the top. These contain archegonia, the organs which produce the ova. Male gametophores are topped by a flattened disc containing the antheridia which produce sperm.
This species reproduces asexually by gemmae that are produced within gemmae cups. Gemmae are lentil shaped and are released by droplets of water. Plants produced in this way can expand a patch significantly.
Distribution
It is a cosmopolitan species found worldwide from tropical to arctic climates.
Habitat
It grows on moist soil and rocks in damp habitats such as the banks of streams and pools, bogs, fens and dune slacks. While most varieties grow on dry substrates, "Marchantia polymorpha" var. "aquatica" is semi-aquatic and is often found invading marshes, as well as small ponds that do not have a consistent water table.The species often grows in man-made habitats such as gardens, paths and greenhouses and can be a horticultural weed.
Uses
It has historically been thought to remedy lung ailments and tuberculosis because of its perceived similarities to the shape and texture of animal livers. This is an example of the doctrine of signatures."Marchantia polymorpha" produces the antifungal bis[bibenzyls] dihydrostilbenoids plagiochin E, 13,13'-O-isoproylidenericcardin D, riccardin H, marchantin E, neomarchantin A, marchantin A and marchantin B. Its strong fungicidal capability has been used successfully in the treatment of skin and nail fungi.
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